Notre-Dame Is On Track For Its Reopening After $865M Restoration

Following the destructive fire that turned most of Paris’ cathedral into ash and rubble, worshippers and visitors will finally be able to step foot in the Notre-Dame once again come 2024, with French officials announcing that the historic site is on track to full recovery. 

According to Reuters, Culture Minister Rima Abdul Malak gave an update on restoration efforts, reporting that the clean-up phase of the project has ended, with rebuilding set to begin at the end of the summer. 

The landmark, which closed in April 2019, is slated to reopen in time for the French Olympic Games, and will cost a total of US$865 million over three phases: cleaning and stabilizing the building, working on the roof and spire, and its exterior reconstruction. 

In order to improve the site and cut down its carbon footprint, an indoor promenade will replace the site’s parking garage, allowing visitors a place to convene and access the catacombs.

[via Reuters and Anadolu Agency, cover image via Lomnik Tatsiana | Dreamstime.com]